From 2:2 to Skadden Partner: Academics vs Legal Work Experience?

Richard Youle, the co-head of Skadden's Private Equity Group, shares with us his personal journey from obtaining a 2:2 degree to being a partner at one of the world's leading law firms. We discuss the interplay between having good academic grades and the importance of legal work experience in kickstarting your legal career. The role of personal contacts, extra-curriculars, and the potentially misleading idea of the lack of legal work experience not being a problem to law firm recruiters were discussed. Richard also gives us a very truthful reminder of the amount of work and dedication that is expected from trainees and NQs working at a prestigious law firm such as Skadden.